M. 



PS 1039 

fl277 
C3 
1898 
Copy 1 



79) 




i 




Mmm 



AND 



OTHER POEMS 



BV 



JAMES ALLMAN. 



^ 






NEW YORK. 

PRESS OF WM. HAMMER, 
2 SPRING ST. 



CARMINA NOCTIS 



AND 



OTHER POEMS 

BT 

JAMES ALLMAN. 



NEW YORK. 

PRESS OF WM. HAMMER, 
2 SPRING ST. 






4735 



Entered in the Library of Congress 
By J. Allman. 



A DREAM OF REVOLUTION. 



The Goddess of Revolt advances with wild flowing 
iair and iron sandals on her feet. 

Ferdinand Lass all c\ 



At Still midnight I hurried through the city, 
When prone in stillness and repose it lies, 
When the calm silent stars look down in pity 
As though kind nature, with her myriad eyes, 
Wept for the toil of man and womans woe 
Wept silent tears of light on all below, 

ir. 

Faint glimmering rays of light ieebly w^ere creeping, 
Into the shadows of the building high 
Showing in dim outline Magdalen weeping, 
As wdth her low bent head she wandered by ; 
On either side, two grim heaven reaching rows 
Of ghastly towers of want and filth arose. 

III. 

In anguish to my attic room I hurried, 

And to shut out each woeful sight and sound, 

Into the pillows soft my face I buried 

Soon sank I into sleep deep and profound, 

But lo! my slumber ceased for sounds of fear 

Loud murmuring cries of wrath weie drawing near. 



IV. 

I rose and in the deepest awe I peered, 

Out in tlie darkness listening. Slowly neared, 

The thundering sound of many thousand feet 

Marching in dense array down the dim street, 

Rose up a threatening cry from myriad tongues, 

"Rise for the rights of man death to ancient wrongs "! 

Glimmering torches shone with l)aneful red 

Over the marching throngs, glittering overhead 

Like pallid foam when ocean sKn-ni waves reel 

Flashed in the pale moonlight weapons of steel. 

Out from each tenement's small narrow door 

Fierce throngs of haggard men hurrying pour. 

While pallid wom^-n urge them on their way 

Or seizing w^eapons join the wild array. 

Nearer and nearer the surging many came 

Floated above their heads, like the living flame 

That guarded Israels van in the darkest night 

When through the desert land she took her flight, 

Revolutions lurid flag deep hued like blood 

Symbol of common cause sign of brotherliood. 

But lo! I shuddered at an awesome sight, 

A shape gigantic, a form of might, 

Rising as mountain peak over a storm, 

Towered from the multitude^ a lofty form. 

H«^r beauteous head loomed high against the skies 

A thousand angrrs flashed from out her eyes, 

Her golden tresses glittered as the}' streamed 

Like coils of living tire in the light that gleamed 



8 



From blazing torclies. In robust strength replete 

Was her white form like that of Greek athlete 

Her graceful limbs were in strong outline shown 

Through her loose clinging garb. A brazen zone 

Circled her waist, from whence a scabbard hung 

Empty. The naked sword her right arm swung 

Reaping a harvest grim while her left hand 

Held in the black midnight a blazing brand 

And as she marched with footsteps stern and slow 

She swayed the sword and firebrand to and fro. 

Wild cries that told of terrors and despairs 

Filled the night air: kings, priests and millionairs, 

With all the other men of fraud and might 

With cries of horror filled the awful night 

Bent they their tremblings forms and craven faces low, 

As with majestic gait sternly and slow, 

Crushing their heads with iron sandalled feet 

The Spirit of Revolt marched down the street. 

The pathway marked by her unswerving tread 

Was with a smoldering mass of ruins spread 

Palaces, chnrches, factories, ruined prone 

With shattered thrones and altars overthrown 

He wake was littered. Then strange to say, 

The form of wrath was gone and sudden day. 

Beauteous and fair burst on my dazzled sight. 

On every side rose palaces upright 

High halls of granite grey and marble white, 

Carven and built with skill most exquisite. 

Spread out fair flower strewn lawns on every hand, 

Bright limpid fountains flowed silvern and bland, 



And as tlicir uatrrs fell an 1 Mowed along- 

Tip ir rippling cadtMiccd tones kept linie wiili song-, 

Afid music l)orn<' uj)()n tlie suniUK r breeze 

HU]\ ri|)est fruits were pendant froni the trees. 

Pure heahliy children laucrhed in liearty ])lay 

In the pure sunsliine. ", Whence conies this day 

Sudden and l)eaute()us peaceful and serene "V 

Asked I when suddenly coming between, 

'I'he bh.ssom laden bushes tliere a[)peared 

A form divine and me it slowly neared. 

She looked at me with wide unliincliing eyes, 

Not the bold stare of vice, or faint suprise 

Of shallow ])rudery, but the unblushing gaze 

Of girlhood guihdess pure in all its ways. 

Her thin but graceful garment careless hung 

From breast to knees and as it lightly clung, 

Keveaiejl her graceful liips and rounded thighs 

And smelling bofsonis easy fall and rise 

In vague outline, beneath its simple fold. 

Such garb was worn by Attic maids of old. 

" TrU me " suprised I said " Oh ! beauteous maid 

\N hat means this golden peace I see displayed, 

Whose are these verdant lawns? Whose halls are these 

Those i)retty children ])laying 'neath the trees 

Whence come they. Whence this happiness and peace" ? 

Tlie maid replied with graceful calm and ease, 

*• This is the happy kingdom of ecjuality 

Where justice is the king and all are free, 

Wliere all in common work for common good, 

Where lusty plentitude of clothes and food 



5 



Bless a pare people. Listen and bear 
The happy songs ofhiborers working near, 
Look and behold fair sturdy womanhood. 
List to the children singing in the Avood 
Hark how their silvern tongues in union ring 
Clianting the happy melody they sing " : 

* •«• -)f -^ ^ ^ 

Faded the vision fair, and the maid who spoke, 
AllI all ! was but a dream and I awoke. 

Y. 

The early gleams of daw^n faintly were prying, 

Into my attic chambers chilly gloom 

Sadly I heard a child painfully crying, 

A sickly infant in a near by room, 

I heard the pallid careworn mothers tones, 

Singing a sleeping song in time ^vith the groans. 

VI. 



f 



In the Ikall tenements toilers were stirring, 
And the poor wage slave wives were active too, 

In the foul sweaters dens machines were whirring, 
Work had began to last seventeen hours through. 
Want, suffering, toil and grief on every side 
In anguish of my soul loudly I cried. 

vn. 

" Oh ! ever toiling slaves millions in number, 

Armed with deep black despairs death dealing might, 



^^'lK'n will ye waken from your passive slumber, 
And make those things be true T saw at night. 
\\ hen will ye rise in wrath and overthrow 
'I'lu' idle few who thrive upon your woe." 



TWO STRANGE CITIES, 



In any esse there are two citi*'e, hostile one to the other, 
the city of the poor and the city of the rich ; and each of 
these contains very many cities; and if you deai with 
theui as one you will find yourself thorouofhly mistaken' 
but if you treat them as many and <five to one class the 
propertj' and the power or even the persons of another you 
will have many allies and few enemies. 

Plato's Republic. Book IV. 

PART I. 
THE CITY OF EMPTY PALACES. 



.\ stranger from a far off happy land 

Chanced once to disembark upon the strand, 

Of a strange island, where the buildings high 

White tall and beautiful rose to the sky, 

'I'he grand perspective shewed mile after mile, 

Portico collonade and perystyle. 

Inroad graceful arches, columns long and white. 

Domes rose in swelling forms, spires sheer upright. 

But he saw no sign of life, he heard no sound, 

Nought but the calm of death ])revailed around. 

No ])alli(l sombre lamp shone on the gloom, 

Krom out the dreamy students narrow room, 



Xo sound of revellrv, music and song, 

Rolled from the banquet rooms Inlarous throng, 

No curving spiral of blue moving smoke, 

Of genial warmth within hospitably spoke, 

Bleak pallid like grim corpses cold and still, 

Rose up those spectral halls in night air chill. 

A sturdy man with helmet on his head 

Wearing a uniform passed with measured tread, 

Waking the echoes with his heavy pace, 

Of him the stranger asked " What is this place 

Why this deep stillness ? Do no men here live ? " 

Replied the other. " Swarming as a hive 

This city is in day time. Congregate 

Hither the money-lords who speculate 

Those lofty empty halls yoa see contain 

Offices haunt of plutocrats who reign 

O'er all the earth." Again the stranger said, 

" What stupid men are these who empty dead 

Leave there large halls. What is the cause I pray " ' 

The strong man seemed surprised and walked away, 

But as he went looked back with curious eye, 

And answered thus : — "My friend I know not why.', 



PART II. 

THE CITY OF CROWDED HOVELS. 

Pondering upon this curious mystery, 
Why such palatial halls should vacant be. 
Wandered the stranger who took his way 
Through the deserted streets. He passed away 



8 



From the tall palaces and in their stead. 
Appeared high hideous towers of dirty red 
Reeking with filth, rife with uproarious sound, 
Swarming with ill-kempt folk who stood around 
The narrow doorways, and w4io thronged each room, 
Or jostled in the stairway's narrow gloom. 
Tliough late the night was plainly could he heard 
The dreary monotone perpetually Avhirred 
By the machine in the foul sweaters den, 
Where pallid women slaved and haggard men. 
Children in tattered garb, with small naked feet 
Swarmed in their childish play the grimy street. 
Black night looked blacker for the faint illume, 
Of yellow gas-jets blinking in the gloom. 
Want wed with ignorance, death with poverty 
Swarmed in the narrow streets and buildings high. 
The stranger from his musing thoughts awoke. 
Gazed on the crowded hovels, and thus spoke, 
To a gaunt visaged man who stood near by, 
What are these filthv dismal buildinf^s hiofh ? 
My friend, '' how many in this near and dwell? '' 
Slowly the pale man said. "The truth to tell 
Fully two hundred human beings pent, 
Are living in this nearest tenement. 
For that is what we call these buildings high '' 
Exclaimed the stranger, "pray you tell me why 
Beautiful palaces deserted stands 
In a fair city which is near at hand, 
While you live here like horse within a stall, 
Whv not live like a man in some larire hall 



9 



In yon deserted city ? " In accents low 

The pale man said, "my friend I do not know." 



THE MODERN MAGDALEN. 



Beliold where the umbrageous shadows are striving, 
With leaping and moving and flickoring light, 
Where electrical brightness its keen arrows driving, 
Endevors to pierce the dark shield of the night, 
The sombre black shield, which spread over the city 
Conceals vice from punishment and want from pity. 
See Magdalen passing with jaunty step by 
A smile on her lips but despair in her eye. 

n. 

She looks at the passer by with simulation 

Of gaity which her depressed soul knows not, 

Yet despite her bravado a faint hesitation 

Of manner proclaims that when once without spot, 

Her soul was in youth she undoubtedly knew 

Home happy, with parents and friends kind and true 

And the sad weeping spirit of pure long ago 

Dogs her wavering footsteps where'ere she may go. 

III. 

Time was when charity kind and forgiving, 
The kindness of Christ who was god as some say 



10 



Was meted to her for the saviour when living 
Pardoned the woman who erred. But to-day, 
The clergy who lyingly preach in his name, 
Condemn and reject the poor maidens of shame, 
A prison they give where Christ pardoned and where 
He meted out love they give hate and despair. 



A LADY AND A WOMAN. 



" Nothing to do" ! cried Mr. Makelj'. " A lady is busy 
from morning to night I She always goes to bed perfectly 
worn out " "' But with what " ? asked the Altrurian. 

"With making herself agreeble and her house attrac- 
tive, with going to lunches and teas and dinners and con- 
certs and theatres and art exhibitions, and charity meetingi^ 
and receptions and with writing a thousand and one notes 
about them, and accepting and declining and giving lunches 
and dinners and making calls and receiving them and 1 
don't know what all. It's the most hideous slavery '' . . . 

-/ Traveller /7-OJU Altruria. IV. P. //mvc/is^ 



A bell's loud brazen mouth in mighty tone, 
The midnight hour in diapason rolled, 
I stood beside a lordly house of stone 
The palace of some prince of wealth untold, 
Against an open window, which was screened 
With flowing drapery of Brussell's lace, 
A wealthy dame her pallid forhead leaned 
Gems in her hair but sadness in her face. 



11 



IT. 

I stepped within a graceful porch near by, 
By sombre shadows of the night concealed, 
I heard the wealty dame in sorrow sigh, 
As in these words her anguish she revealed : 
*' Oh ! aimless round of pleasure, empty life, 
Dance, music, dresses, jewels everywhere. 
No earnest aim to seek, no noble strife. 
No purifying love, no chastening care. 

III. 

I bent my head in meditation low, 
And as I wandered on I pondered why, 
That wealthy lady should such sorrow know. 
Then looking upward I saw looming nigh, 
A lofty tenement squalid and grim, 
A pallid working girl with low bent head, 
Sat in a chamber, which was poor and dim. 
And in despairing tones these plaints she said : 

IV. 

Oh ! living death of work that never ends, 
T(dl, want, and foulness teeming everywhere, 
Fnint is the voice of hope, here where it blends 
Feebly with thousand tongues crying despair, 
L< ve, slain by Want within my breast is dead, 
And Care Want's brother fiend ruthlessly stole, 
Black hair and rosy lips from my face and head, 
They only left to me my despairing soul. 



THE APOTHEOSIS OF CAPITALISM. 



Uprose to heaven a wail of doleful rue, 

From the four hundred on Fifth Avenue : 

In abject grief great swelldom bowed its head 

For Squanderguilt the millionaire was dead. 

The droning hymn, the solemn drawling prayer, 

Rose niurmuringly upon the silent air, 

Ot that rich church, known as the Heavenly Rest, 

And Rev Barker Boreson with a zest 

Of fervid eloquence preached for the soul 

Of the dead thief, a sermon which he stole, 

From a well learned priest, obscure, unknown, 

And palmed it off upon them as his own. 

The youthful widow bent her graceful head, 

And a lew fashionable tears she shed : 

Then comforied herself with this reflection : 

That mourning hues would match with her complexion 

Meanwhile the rich man's spirii snared on high 

Towards the golden mansions in the sky. 

It reached at length high heavens pearly gate. 

And wiih imperious tones and clamour great, 

Bngan to call for a free entran<-e in. 

St. Peter heaven's porter heard the din, 



15 



And from within lie loudly cried, " who's there " ? 
''I Sqnanderguilt, the multimillionaire," 
In thundering tones the rich man's soul replied, 
''Give me no impudence but open wide 
Heavens pearly portals and in let me go, 
For references I bear from earth below, 
Given to my soul by greatest of divines, 
One who among all theologians shines, 
Brightest and best. Even now you hear him praying. 
An innocation eloquent he's saying, 
So Peter open wide the pearly gate, 
When parsons pray you should not hesitate." 
St. Peter in a manner most demure. 
While opening the gate remarked, " I'm sure 
There will be trouble w^hen this swaggering set 
Of money grasping thieves together get. 
The millionaire peered curiously around 
To see if in the heavens could be found. 
Some kindred spirit. Soon there met his view- 
Old Astorgould, who loudly cried " How'do. 
What just left earth. This heaven is a bore 
I've been here now some twenty years or more, 
With nothing else to do but sing and play 
Upon a golden harp the livelong day. 
Why Squanderguilt these heavens are disgraced 
With wealth and labor going all to waste, 
If we could get a corner on these things, 
The golden crowns and harps or clip the wings, 
Of the angelic hosts and make them toil, 
We might control this heaven and steal the spoil, 



16 



Even as we did on earth." '* That's true" 

Said Sijuanderguilt, " but Vm suprised that you 

Have not done so before. I could control 

Tlie raging money-mania of my soul 

Not half as long. No pleasure could I find 

Except that frenzied joy I left behind 

On earth in Wall St. That fierce gambling craze, 

That seared my mind and set my soul ablase, 

With all consuming, never satiate fire, 

Of keenest avaricious gold desire. 

This waste of wealth and labor is a sin. 

Let us at once our Wall St. tricks begin, 

Seek out the shades of all the millionaires. 

The bellowing, shrieking, jumping bulls and bears: 

We knew on earth who used to speculate. 

And soon we will control and regulate 

Heaven and the angels and gold shall be god." 

Thus spoke great Squanderguilt and it is odd, 

That what he spoke of soon was brought about, 

The brokers gathered and began to shout ; 

Their bellowings added nothing to the wealth, 

Of lioaven ; but by some strange and curious stealth, 

These shrieking gamblers in quick time controlled : 

The heavens, the angels and the things of gold; 

How this was done I really cannot say 

But it you doubt to Wall St. wend your way. 

And look upon those thieves we never make 

Ought but disturbance yet who all wealth take. 

They never reap, or spin, or sow, or plougli, 

They simply kick up an infernal row. 



17 



Yet by this shouting, screaming, strange to sav 

They get all wealth and weaker mortals sway. 

Jehova sat in grand majestic ease, 

Enjoying his celestial calm and peace : 

When suddenly into his presence came, 

Heaven's warlike general. Michael is his name. 

** O ! Lord," he cried " I dread the news to tell," 

** What " said the Lord, ** is Satan raising hell ? " 

" Oh no," cried Michael, '' this time it is worse, 

Wall St., the Stock Exchange, the Paris Bourse, 

And all the thievish tricks those names imply. 

Disgrace these golden mansions in the sky. 

The angels they've enslaved, the heavens they own, 

Tliey'r coming now to steal your golden throne. 

And cast you out and on it Mammon place. 

The only god ihey know." With angry face. 

And threatening gesture, thus the Lord replied. 

*' Bring hither those vile thieves who have defied 

My mighty power." While thus the almighty spoke, 

Shouting and yelling on his presence broke, 

The plundering robbers of the stock-exchange. 

Cried Grod, " What means this conduct loud and strange? 

Enslaving angels, stealing heavens, wealth. 

And these vile insults offered to myself. 

The rich, the plutocrat, the millionaire. 

Owned all the earth the brief time you were there, 

What will you ? Do you want the heavens too? 

At which the broker cried, *' You bet we do, 

Mammon was god for us on earth below. 

And here in heaven we're going to make him so. 



18 



Get out of that you di^uified old fool, 
Gold is our god, and gold alone shall rule," 
This said they tlirew the almighty from his throne, 
And Mammon god of wealth ruled there alone, 
The rich men heaven as well as earth now sway 
But don't be sad on that account I pray 
Because we socialists so Christians tell, 
Will not go thither we're all bound lor hell. 



NIHIL HABEO NIHIL CURO. 

As to further reductions in his income the workman say, 
nihil habeo nihil euro. He has no fears for the future be- 
cause he has now only the bare supply necessary to keep 
him. Come what will he has no share either in prosperity 
or adversity. 

Karl Marx. Capital^ Book /, Part VII. 

T. 

** Nothing I have, tor nothing I care,'' 

Loudly defiantly rang out the cry : 

The crowd looked round with terrified stare 

At a gaunt visaged workingnian, standing near by ; 

A large crowd it was. of middle-class folk, 

Who listened with keenest approval and glee, 

To an oily tongued liar, who fluently spoke 

Ot the home of the brave and the land of the free, 

About tariff reform, and of silver and gold, 

And tills glorious land, of all lands in the world 

TIk* greatest and best. When lo I Loud and bold : 



19 



Into tlieir midst was so suddenly hurled, 
The wild battle slogan of the proletaire ; 
*' Nothing I have, for nothing I care." 

II. 

'' Nothing I have, for nothing I care, 

What meanings have all your soft lyings to me. 

Exclaimed the rude workman in tones of despair, 

This home of the brave, and this land of the free ; 

Is a huge bondage-land where in slavery toil, 

The cowardly many, in suffering and woe, 

And the few live like gods on the fruits of their spoil. 

No homestead have I and no country L know, 

And having no hope, hence have I no fear : 

No property, prospects, or brightness, I have. 

Mid your meaningless babblings the time may be near, 

When in his despair the hopeless wage-slave 

May revolt in his wrath. Oh ! ye rich fools beware : 

Nothing I have, for nothing I care." 



THE REDEEMER AND THE RICH 
PHAROSEE. 



PART I. 

Cold winter's bitter breath from out the north. 
Bent the bare olive branches to and forth, 
Upon the rugged hills, of Grallilee : 



20 



While sat in palaca warm, a pliarasee 

Upon a rich divan. The chamber bright, 

Was rendered by four chandel bra's rich light, 

It glistened on the cups of carven gold 

And lingered softly, in the purple fold 

Of richest Tyrian curtains. On the ground 

Were fixed the rich man's eyes. In thought he frowned. 

Two were with him. A rabbi grave and grey, 

And a stern Roman richly dressed who 

Prone on a silken couch. Huge wine lay jars stood 

Upon the floor ; and rich luxurious food, 

Untouched upon the table as though some, 

Expected guest they bided still to come. 

Thus spoke the Pliarasee : " The hour draws near, 

When as foretold by many a learned seer, 

The long looked for Messiah shall appear. 

Doth not thy forecast Rabbi tell that here : 

Beneath my humble roof he on this earth 

Shall first appear? My home shall see the birth 

Of this great One who is ordained to raise, 

Israel above the power her greatest days ; 

In glorious past have known." (Aside awhile 

Turned the proud Roman to conceal a smile.) 

Throw open yonder casement, full and wide 

And draw the silken curtains, to one side 

To give the Great One a few entrance in." 

The Rabbi shuddered as the blast ering din. 

Of the fierce storm he heard, then said he: " Nay, 

Let those thick tapestries between no stay, 

And that harsh wind, now blowing rude and cold, 



21 



For I am very weak and very old." 

Then drew bis garments round him, spread his hands, 

Towards the tripod's glowing charcoal brands, 

That blessed the chamber with their cheery glow. 

The cold breeze swung the curtains to and fro 

The embroidered figures on them seemed in slow, 

And measured, cadence, moving to the low, 

Wierd, music of the wind. Lo ! an approaching tread 

In silent fear they heard. His haughty head. 

The Roman moved in deep, expectant, awe. 

The curtains raised. In chargrin deep they saw. 

Bowing before them a swart Moorish slave, 

Who spoke thus : " Master two poor travellers crave, 

The shelter of your roof for one brief night, 

They man and wife are. She in the sad plight 

Of motherhood, is so advanced I fear 

The time for her delivery is near. 

Her husband grave of face, and old in years, 

A slender bundle in his hand he bears, 

In which I saw some implements well worn. 

Such as are used by carpenters. Folorne 

Their faces, travel-stained their clothes. 

They plead so hard for one brief nights repose 

That I your presence with their pleadings sought. 

Daring for pity s sake to set at naught, 

Yor orders master, that you should remain 

Untroubled at this hour." In furious strain, 

Of loud-tongued wrath the Pharasee thus spake : 

" Dost thou upon my solemn vigil break. 

To trouble me with beggings, and excuse, 



22 



From wandering vagabonds, and harlots loose, 

Who prowl the streets at this late hour at night : 

Go drive them hence, get thee quick from my sight, 

Drive them away. Let not my mansi(m sainted 

By many sacred grandsires be long tainted 

With their vile sin and presence near my door." 

Withdrew the slave, to w^liere the travellers poor, 

Awaited in calm expectancy His eyes 

So tierce and savage moist with charity's, 

Still humid dew. '' This wintry wind that blovrs 

Feels more of pity than my master knows," 

Sadly he told them. *' Grieved am I to say, 

He ordered me to drive you both away." 

They turned with low bowed heads, and vrearied pace, 

He leaned forth looking after them, his face, 

Though black and fierce by its sad look expressed 

The struggle raging in his honest breast, 

Pity and fear between. The old man turned, 

While going from him, and his sad eyes yearned 

And plead in silent eloquence so deep, 

The slave no longer could his kind heart keep, 

Controlled and calling loud he said, " Not able 

Am I to let you in here but the stable 

Lies there behind the palace but I fear 

To ask you, there is so cold and drear."' 

Accepting thanking, quickly they replied, 

Then with him to its humble shelter hied, 

Forward upon the manger cold and dank 

The ])allid travel-wearied Virgin sank. 

And there upon a heap of foetid straw, 



28 
The Christ-Child this world's cheerless light first saw. 



PART II. 



Full three and thirty years had passed away. 

'T was in Jerusalem a festal day. 

The air was loud with joy, Horsanahs rang 

In jubilation loud. The people sang- 

Paons of praise and welcome. Palms they bore, 

And as to conguoring prince they marched before, 

They tendered wreaths of flowers and sang and bowed, 

In humble reverence low, as through the crowd 

They saw, in kingly grace the Christ-god pass 

Mounted upon an ambling milk-white ass. 

Graceful his face was, calm beyond compare, 

Framed in its golden hood of waving hair. 

Not the proud look of earthly monarchs cold, 

Harsh, and disdainful, bore he To behold 

His mein was great and god-like for these shone. 

From out his mild blue eyes that greatest one, 

Ot all the virtues pitying charity ; 

As on past clamouring throngs he hurried by. 

For knew not his prophetic soul in sorrow : 

Tliat these wlio hailed him king, would on the morrow, 

Cry loudly, Crucify him! In the way, 

S ) ) 1 waiting a rich man whose hair was grey, 

Wiiose flowing robe, beard, and phylactery 

P ' xiiaiiued him unto all a pharasee. 

Hix servants with their rods, drove back the crowd, 

\N liiKi thus their master, called on Christ aloud: 



24 



Great living God ! fulfillment of the word, 

By olden prophets uttered I have heard, 

Of many a noble speech and wonder deed, 

Acted and said by thee and of thy creed, 

New but sublime. Thou to blind their sight, 

By one word givest back ; and from the night, 

That is beyond the grave bringst back the dead. 

To thee, ! Son of God I bow my head. 

And beg that thou beneath my palace roof 

Refreshments rich will take, and thus give proof. 

Unto the wise words, told in ages past : 

For 'twas unto my ancestors forecast, 

That their great house should ever honored be, 

By giving a brief shelter unto thee. 

Full thirty years and more have hurried by, 

The times proclaimed, when this their prophecy 

Should have occured in the large house I own, 

In Bethlehem, deftly built of carven stone. 

Mayhap the scribes erred Master came not thou, 

Therefore, I beg of thee enter now. 

My banquet waits, my gates are open wide 

To welcome thee for 'tis so pro])liecied." 

The near by-standers pallid grew with fear 

VN'hen on Christs face so mild they saw appear 

The majesty of the almighty ire 

The sudden flashing lights of lightening fire, 

Blazing from eyes so kindly and benigne 

And heard the awful voice of Man Divine, 

Haised thus in stern and minatory wratli, 

Likc^ Typhoon rushing through a mountain path. 



25 



Or the hill shaking thunders mighty roll, 
"Oh ! Pious moath, Oh I narrow sordid soal, 
My parents sought thy house upon the day 
Whereof you speak and you drove them away, 
With harsh reproof and words of bitter scorn, 
But still I was within thy mansion born. 
For they a shelter in thy stable found, 
And while the night wind pitying sighed around, 
I entered this dark world. Then was fulfilled 
As old seers said, and as my Father willed, 
Not as thy worldly mind desired and thought 
For thou some glorious apparition sought, 
Expectant in thy halls. Go get thee hence 
Pious embodiment of vile pretence. 
Accursed of God art thou and all like thee, 
He who rejects the poor despisith me. 



ST. PETER AND THE POLITICIANS, 



T. 

St. Peter stood by the heavenly gate, 
Where the souls of the blest enter in, 
Wearied he was for he has long to wait 
In this era of evil and sin. 
When most souls of men I am sorry to say. 
Are so wicked they go in an opposite way. 



2G 



11. 

Tliree mortals approaching, in greatest surprise, 

The heavenly janitor saw, 

He keenly gazed on them with questioning eyes, 

And addressed them thus: " Before I draw 

These bolt back and throw heavens gate open wide, 

You must tell what you were on earth and how you died- 

III. 

When I was on earth the first mortal told, 

The republicans I voted for, 

The party who promised us plenty and gold, 

But now Pe'^e I feel very sore. 

For when they got in truth to tell naught to hide. 

The times were so hard of starvation I died. 

My case, said the second one differs from that. 
For Peter to you I'll relate, 
That I when on earth was a staunch democrat, 
And my party controlled the whole state, 
Now just how it happened I cannot tell you. 
Bur strange to say I died of starvation too. 

V. 

*' They called me a socialist while I alive 
Was" The third mortal here loudly said: 
I taught that a small idle class should not thrive, 
(Jn the wealth which the laborers made. 



27 



But tlie many were fools, like these two, and denied 
The truth that I taught and of hunger I died. 

VI. 

The gate Peter opened. '* Right in you can go," 

To the socialist spirit he said : 

Take an orchestra seat in the heayenly show ; 

At the other two he shook his head, 

Saying: "You can't go in for the truth I must tell, 

Your ignorance would soon transform lieayen to hell. 



AN ALLEGORY. 

Land is the mother and Labor is the father of wealth" 
I! 'ilUajp Petty. 

L 

A lady fair she was and sweet of grace, 
Benignant all proyiding rich and kind, 
The purling streams were blue yeins in her face, 
Her voice the murmuring perfume laden wind, 
Her smile was summer-sunshines glowing sheen, 
Her flowing mantle was of yerdant green 
Embroidered with the blushing modest rose, 
The pouting lily and the yiolet shy, 
And golden-hearted daisy bloom that shews, 
Its face unto the monarch of the sky : 
This dame of happy plenty smiling mirth, 
Was all-proyiding bounteous Mother Earth, 



28 
II. 



A man he was of might in body strong, 

Straight as a poplar, sturdy as an oak: 

Industriously he labored the day long, 

With danity tools or heavy hammer stroke, 

With strength and skill he wrought and he designed, 

Applying both his body and his mind 

His face was beautiful, his step was lithe. 

His limbs were even, quick his flashing eye, 

He worked alike with hammer, loom or scythe. 

In smithy dark, in fields beneath the sky, 

He feared no man no master did him ow^n 

He was to all as Father Labor known. 



III. 



Strong Father Labor long with Mother Earth, 

In liappy ties of passion had been wed. 

Their union had been blessed with the birth 

Of a fair daughter whose bright presence shed, 

A dazzling lustre round the happy house 

Of Father Labor and of Earth his spouse. 

Of richest gem wrought silk was her attire, 

A crown of gold she wore upon her brow. 

And many a pearl and ruby and sapphire 

Threw from her throat and wrists their colored erlow, 

Her attributes were plenty, science, health ; 

And this lair beauteous maidens name was Wealth 



29 



Alas ! tlie happiness of this pure pair 

Was marred, by an intruder foul and grim> 

Abducted by him was the daughter fair 

Labor enslaved was chained his every limb, 

From faithful Mother Earth he was divorced, 

And into daily drudgery was forced. 

By the foul monster who had seized upon, 

Both Mother Eeartli and Daughter Wealth and held 

In selfish lust all pleasures as his own. 

In selfishness he took and he compelled 

Labor to toil and slave at his caprice. 

And this foul monsters name was Avarice, 



V. 



Lo ! pale with grief became proud Labor's face, 
And grey with want and toil his flowing hair, 
His lithe step, changed to a slow dragging pace, 
His songs to sighs of sorrow and despair. 
Thus slaved and sighed he long until one day 
His passive quiet sorrow passed away, . . 
And in its place a frenzied madness stole, 
Into his heart and fired with wrath his brain ; 
He seized the fiend who had him in control 
And crashed him lifeless. Then began again 
The reign of peace, love and equality, 
For Land and Labor met and Wealth was free. 



30 

AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER 



A vagabond in tattered garb attired, 

Haggard, unkempt, half-fanisbed, foul and tired, 

A Flemish city entered. Round he gazed, 

Hoping to meet a burgher but amazed 

He was to find the streets deserted all. 

Closed was each shop, empty each market stall. 

At length he met one, and of him enquired : 

"Pray where have all the busy folk retired"? 

" The city's patron saint upon this day. 

Is honored in the churches where to pray. 

The citizens have gone ; " the other said. 

Towards the church the beggar quickly sped. 

He entered, and though standing in the rear, 

Close to the door, distinctly he could hear 

A learned bishop preach whose sermon ran : 

On tlie Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. 

In following strain : '' I tell you brethren true, 

God is our father and if there mid you . 

Be beggar low or sinful man then he 

Is son of god and brother unto me." 

My brother a bishop, thus the beggar thought. 

Well that's good news then eagerly he sought, 

The bishops palace and arriving there. 

The servants greeted him with wondering stare, 

The porter in a haughty manner asked : 

" Who are you V and tlien staggered back aghast, 

When " I'm th(? bishop's brother," (^uick replied 



31 



The beggar, and then waived him to one side, 
And through the gaping group of menials passed 
Into the dining liall, where a repast, 
Of ricliest viands on the table laid, 
Waited the bishop's coming. Loudly said 
The butler. '' Who are you with manners rude 
And garments filthy daring to intrude 
Into these rooms." The beggar cooly seated. 
Himself down at the table and repeated, 
In manner calm, " I am the bishops brother." 
The servants gazed in wonder at each other, 
Then wispered, '' It may really be that some, 
Dissolute brother has returned back home. 
But strange 'tis we heard not of him before." 
Just then the bishop strode within the door. 
In proud disdain the mendicant he eyed 
'' Who is this filthy vagabond, he cried " ? 
" I am your brother," came back the reply. 
Hotly the bishop bawled, " You dog you lie. 
Seize him, let him at once from here be hurled, 
I know no brother in the the whole wide world." 



THE VOICE OF CAPITAL 



I. 

The distant hills in sombre grandeur spread. 

Their undulating curves against the sky, 

As though they formed a black and purple bed, 



32 



In which the sun might go to rest and lie, 
Peaceful throughout the night in slumber deep, 
Till the larks morning song would stop his deep. 

II. 

The forest trees had changed their garb of green, 
To brown and red, and mellow glowing gold, 
For Autumn with its peaceful cool serene 
Mild breezes was at hand. The streamlet rolled. 
Singing in gurgling bass as it sped by, 
A duet with a thrush that chanted nigh. 

III. 

T looked with pleasure on the peaceful scene. 
And fell into poetic dream profound, 
A w^oodland nymph appeared to peep between 
The trees and : — Lo ! a loud and hideous sound, 
A hoarse stentorious lingering frightful shriek 
Was heard quite near, I rose its cause to seek. 

IV. 

Wide oaks and leafy willows formed a screen. 

That hid a grimy horror from my eyes, 

I peered their waving drooping bows between. 

And saw a group of mills and factories, 

Soiling tho blue vault with their Stygian smoke. 

Theirs were the shrill commanding tones that spoke. 

V. 

In answer to the loud commanding cry. 



38 



Of heartless capitals imperious call, 

I saw the pale faced mill hands drawing nigh, 

Care warn of forehead faint of gait were all. 

That avaricious crv in that pure place ! 

Those toil worn girls ! I fled with hurried pace. 



HOW A CAMEL MAY GO THROUGH THE 
EYE OF A NEEDLE. 



A sermon is a splendid opiate. 

And if you sleepless lie when night is late, 

The following advice I give to you : 

Esconse yourself within the cuishioned pew, 

Of some dim church, list to the drawling drone. 

Of a divine who in a monotone 

Will preach a sermon ponderous vague and deep, 

Soon you will nod and then fall fast asleep. 

Oft have I this effective opiate tried, 

But once it failed me. On that day I hied 

Into a lordly temple on Fifth Avenue, 

And dodging the sexton in a cosy pew, 

I nestled down, but sleep forsook my eyes, 

Instead of closing them in great surprise, 

Wider they opened for a clergyman 

Preached to the wealthy, a discourse w^hich ran, 

In manner thus : '' The gospel tells us all, 

An awful truth which truly should appall 

All who by thrift have many millions made, 



84 



For the redeemer wlien on earth once said, 

Addressing rich folks, harder far 'tis for 

A wealthy man to enter in the door, 

That leads to heavenly bliss than through a needle's eye, 

'Tis for a camel huge to pass. Now brethren I, 

Being possessed of much of this worlds wealth, 

And you my brethren being like myself, 

Immensely rich, it is appropriate here ; 

That I should make this obscure passage clear. 

The passage brethren does not mean at all, 

That camels must pass through the opening small, 

In needles where we put the slender thread ; 

But figurative words the good Lord said. 

It was the rule in times now passed away 

And still is, in the Orient, to this day. 

To gird the city with a massive wall. 

The ciiizens to harbor safe from all 

Foes from without. Many a yonderous gate 

Pierced these huge walls, and when the hour was late 

'Jliese gates were shut, the bolts were shot in tight, 

But lest a citizen should in the night 

B\^ untoward event be outside left, 

A smaller entrance a close narrow cleft 

Guarded by soldiers, was the large gate nigh, 

A few feet wide and barely six feet high, 

And this small gate was called the needle's eye. 

A traveler who upon a camel rode 

Arriving late and anxious his abode 

To reach that night would sometimes passing through 

This narrow gate, straggle his camel too, 



35 



To get wiiliin. Grasping by the nose 

'J'lie patient beast, lie'd pull while showers of blows 

Were rained bj slaves on its posterior, 

And by much flogging, tugging, through the door 

At length with labor they the huge beast drew. 

This is the meaning of the verse. Now you, 

My wealthy brethren will plain perceive 

That you may enter heaven. I believe, 

These words so truthful and appropriate 

Will please you much. Amen Pass round the plate." 



" BETTER TENEMENTS AND CLEANER 
STREETS." 



A pretty boy-orator spoke from a truck, 

Of better tenements and cleaner streets : 

A stagey attitude the youngster struck. 

And mouthed as sweetly as a young calf bleats, 

He told of heavenly joys the poor would know, 

If they would heed his lispings and elect 

A wealthy college president, Seth Low, 

A gentleman most worthy and select. 

A homeless, workless toiler stood near by ; 

He heard the promises so pertly made ; 

In stern protest he raised his fist on high 

These wild and hopeless words he fiercely said : 

" What means to me your ' better tenement,' 



36 



Your * cleaner street,' if, being workless, I 

Cannot for better tenements pay rent. 

And will upon your cleaner streets of hunger die? 



TO A DAISY, 



Star of the sward, ! golden hearted flower. 

Oft have I gazed upon thy beauteous grace, 

m meadows green, in dark secluded bower, 

Or on the moorland's drear far-reaching space ; 

Thy petals spotless pure to my eyes are, 

Like the bright rays which leave a golden star. 

Or pure effusions from the noble soul 

Of a poor lonely man his lot among. 

The striving, suffering, working, myriad whole 

Who often live like heroes, die unsung 

In fames loud tones. How like art thou to these. 

Oh ! numerous blooming flower, star of the earth. 

Shining in darkest gloom mid forrest trees, 

Bright symbol of pure unrecorded worth 

Pluck daisies if thou fairest fllowers would know, 
If highest virtues stoop unto the low. 



37 

A SONG OF SOLITUDE, 



I. 

Sitting in a ruined city, 

By the boundless silent sea, 

Musing much in grief and pity 

While on the immensity, 

Of the broad bl ue water gazing, 

Thinking, thinking, thoughts amazing, 

On was, and is, and yet may be. 

II. 

In long past ages, time was when 

Here were halls and humble homes. 

And buisy thriving throngs of men 

Who swarmed beneath high gilded domes. 

Here brought merchants and wise sages. 

The wealth of lands, the lore of ages, 

Here at eventide was heard, 

The bacchnal's wild luxurious song, 

Here the martial trumpets stirred 

The soul of youth as warriors strong. 

Marched in armour from these portals 

To work upon their fellow mortals, 

All the dreary desolation. 

Which curses now this long past nation. 

Kings, palaces and pageants gay, 

Grand temples, priests both grave and grey, 



38 



Earth knew for one brief space their pride, 
Time the impartial made one mighty stride, 
Raised his keen scythe and swept them all aside, 

III. 

Here is stillness drear and solemn, 

Solitude but seldom stirred, 

Save when part each ruined column 

Slinks the hyena. When the bird 

That sings at mid-night wildly \vailing, 

Sets the shrill death echoes hailing. 

Here at eventide's dim light 

Mid past scenes of joy and sorrow, 

The ghastly vampire takes his flight, 

And the dawn light of the morrow 

With a joyless learing blare 

Will show but sadness everywhere. 

Each ruined arch, each shattered stone, 

Like tombs of kings and warriors gone. 

Oh ! nation's grave-yard, stones and sands ! 

Siern epitaph marked by the hands 

Of Time and Fate upon this shore 

In scorn of mightiness of you, 

Love learning kingdoms dead for evermore. 

IV. 

It may be yet in many a land, 

In many a busy human hive, 

Where swarming noisy merchants stand, 

Where arts and industries now thrive. 



89 



This desolation may prevail, 
And peoples laws and nations fail. 
Oh ! greedy avarice of wealth, 
Oh ! arrogance of power and cast, 
Ambitions frenzied lust of self, 
How often have ye overcast, 
Nations and empires long ago 
Dragged mighty earnest men so low, 
That they forgot the heroes part, 
The soldiers fame, the skillful art, 
Effete became and ceased to be. 
Shall this with living nations be, 
As in this ruined city by the sea ? 

Sitting in a ruined city, 

By the boundless silent sea. 

Musing much in grief and pity 

While on the immensity, 

Of the deep blue water gazing. 

Thinking, thinking, thoughts amazing, 

On was, and is, and yet may be. 



WHY THE DEVILS WENT ON STRIKE, 



L 

A devil went into a mansion uptown, 

And into a rich lady's ear, 

He wispered. In shame, she bent her her head down 

And drew back in horror and fear ; 



40 



She shrank from the evil conveyed in the word, 
She blushed at the wicked suggestion she heard, 
But just then a handsome young lover came in, 
She listened, she smiled, and she yielded to sin. 

The devil in glee flew downward to hell, 
To Satan he made his report, 
His master replied : *' You did very well, 
Return now and hunt down the sport." 

IT. 

The devil went into a concert hall. 
And he met the lady there, 
A woman she was now in common with all 
Who with colored cheeks and hair, 
And carmined lips, which lyingly told 
Of love, while hearts were craving gold, 
The woman, the devil hailed with glee, 
She embraced him and sat upon his knee. 

The devil in glee flew downward to hell, 
To Satan he made his report 
His master replied, " You did very well, 
Return now and hunt down the sport." 

III. 

The devil went down to Chinatown, 
And at length he discovered there, 
His victim attired in a fllthy gown. 
He features with lust and despair. 



41 



Where haggard, and pale, and with sensual lips, 
Opium she drew in with feverish sips. 
At the squalor and filth in deepest dismay, 
The fiend gazed in horror, then hurried away. 

The devil disgusted downward fled. 
To his master lie made his report, 
But w^hen. ''go back again" Satan said. 
In defiance he made this retort. 

IV. 

** The want and the vice, the squalor and smell, 

In those dens of the low proletaire, 

Are so friglitfully worse than the w^orst here in hell. 

That really I cannot go there, 

You say you insist. Then a meeting I'll call, 

Of the laboring devils one and all, 

Order and fume as much as you like. 

At once we will start on a general strike." 



CONTENTS 



PAGE. 

A Dream of Kevolution ..... 1 

Two Strange Cities . . . . . .6 

The Modern Magdalen . . . , 9 

A Lady and a Woman • .... 10 

The Apotheosis of Capitalism .... 14 

Nihil Habeo Nihil Curo . , . . .18 

The Rkdeemer and the Rich Pharasee . . . 19 

St. Peter and tae Politicians ..... 25 

An Allegory ....... 27 

Am I My Brothers Keeper? . . . .30 

Thk Vou^e of Capital ...... 31 

How A Camel May Go Through the Eye of a Needle . 33 
"Better Tknkmrnts aND Cleaner Streets.'' . 35 

To a Daisy . . ... ... 36 

A Song of Solitude ..... 37 

Why the Devils Went on Strike . .qq 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 




